New details in the second wave of operations at IMM... The person alleged to have taken bribes died 4 years ago

One of those detained as part of the major operation targeting the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM), which covers 53 people, was Onur Soytürk, the former general manager of İstanbul İmar İnşaat AŞ and the CHP's Zeytinburnu mayoral candidate.

During his interrogation at the police station, Soytürk faced the allegations of Tolgahan Erdoğan, who had previously given a statement as a person with knowledge in the CHP Congress Investigation.

In his statement, Tolgahan Erdoğan claimed that a bribe of around 10 million dollars was paid within the IMM for the villa in Vaniköy, where Adnan Oktar resided for a long time. According to Erdoğan's account, in addition to Onur Soytürk, IMM Bosphorus Zoning Director Elçin Karaloğlu, İmar AŞ Consultant Sinan Akçiçek, and IMM Cemeteries Director Ayhan Koç were also involved in this process.

Erdoğan stated in his testimony that Elçin Karaloğlu's name was mentioned in the illegal construction process in Vaniköy, that approximately 10 million dollars were distributed as bribes, and that Sinan Akçiçek organized the process. According to the allegations, 30 million TL was given to Sinan Akçiçek, and it was claimed that he bought a luxury Audi A6 or A8 brand vehicle with this money, while 5 million TL was said to have been transferred to Ayhan Koç.

The most striking allegation was that the remaining money was deposited by Onur Soytürk into the Athens branch of HSBC in the name of his father-in-law. It was also among the allegations that the money was transported to the border gate in a funeral vehicle belonging to the municipality. Erdoğan also claimed that after the building in question was demolished, the Russians began to pressure Elçin Karaloğlu, and subsequently, Sinan Akçiçek was appointed as a consultant at İmar AŞ.

''THE ALLEGATIONS ARE COMPLETELY BASELESS''

Against these serious accusations directed at him during the interrogation, Onur Soytürk denied all the allegations. He made the following defense in his statement:

“I had no involvement in this matter. My father-in-law passed away in 2021. As far as I know, he never went to Athens in his life. I do not have an active account at HSBC bank either. I have not been to Athens, and I have had no financial or moral relationship with the mentioned acts and actions. I did not witness such a money transfer.”

Soytürk was also asked about his HTS (communication) records with names such as Ekrem İmamoğlu, former IMM Secretary General Can Akın Çağlar, IMM Spokesperson Murat Ongun, Deputy Secretary General of IMM Buğra Gökçe, and Beylikdüzü Mayor Mehmet Murat Çalık. Soytürk stated that he served as a senior executive at the IMM for 4 years and that it was extremely natural for him to communicate with these people during this process. He also emphasized that the fact that he and many IMM employees gave signals from the same base station was a normal situation due to them working in the same building.

ENGAGING IN POLITICS IS NOT A CRIME

At the end of his statement, Soytürk reacted to the police raid conducted at 06.00 in the morning and said the following:

“My home and workplace were searched, and I was detained based on an allegation that could easily be determined to contain fabricated accusations. Serving as an executive at the IMM and engaging in politics in the CHP are not criminal elements. These duties are honors that I will carry throughout my life.”